And distributing machine



(No Model.) 10 Sheets-Sheet 1.

, O.FORTH. MATRIX ASSEMBLING AND DISTRIBUTING MACHINE. No. 562,954.

Patent June 30 uanunummnuml IN VEN TOR.

. WIT NESSFS.

Uarles Forfl. 7 ztM ANDREW B GRAHAM. PHumUmO. wAsmNGmrL D C (No Model.)10 sheets-sheen.

0. FORTH. MATRIX ASSEMBLING AND DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

No. 562,954. PaJtented June 30, 1896.

IN VEN T 01?.

g H L les Forth M 65,36

10 SheetsSheet 4 (No Model.)

0. FORTH. MATRIX ASSEMBLING AND DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

Patented June 3 0, 1896.

IN VEN T 01?.

Charles I'orifi.

ANDREW B GRAHAM. PHUTOU'IHJWASKINGTUID C No Model.) 10 Sheets-Sheet 5.

.0. FORTH. MATRIX ASSEMBLING AND DISTRIBUTING MACHINE. No. 562,954Patented June 30, 1896.

WITNESSES. S INVENTOR. @Z' R. I Ukarles Forih.

AN DREW B GRMAM. PHDTO-LITHOVWASHINGTDN. D C

(No Model.) 10 Sheets-8heet 6.

, G. FORTH.

MATRIX ASSEMBLING AND DISTRIBUTING MACHINE. No. 562,954. Patented June30, 1896.

1 WITNESSES. INVENTOR.

1 arZes Fortfi (No Model.) 10 Sheets-Sheet 7.

O. FORTH. MATRIX ASSEMBLING AND DISTRIBUTING MACHINE. No. 662,954

Patented June 30, 1896.

" INVENTOR.

Ck arles F0rih WITNESS.

M. PHOTOYLITHQWASMINGIOND c 10 Sheets-Shet s.

(No Model.)

0. FORTH. MATRIX ASSEMBLING AND DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

No. 562,954. Patented June so, 1896.-

IN VE'N TOR.

C'ha r-Zes Farfk V J ,r h I V. fi m m WITNESSES.

ANDREW B GRAHAM. PHOYO-UTND. WASIUNGTUN. DC

(No Model.) 10 Sheets-Sheet 9,

C. FORTH. MATRIX ASSEMBLING AND DISTRIBUTING MAGHINE.

No. 562,954. Patented June 30, 1896.

FIG.39

WITNESSES.

ANDREW B GRAHAMPHUTO UTHO WASmNGmILDq (No Model.) v 10 Sheets-Sheet 10,

G. FORTH.- MATRIX ASSEMBLING AND DISTRIBUTING MACHINE. No. 562,954.Patent-ed June 30, 1896.

WITNESSES.

Alum IGRMAM.HIUYO'UTNO.WASI1INGIDII,DC.

UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES FORTH, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS,

TO THE FORTH GRAPHOTYP E COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent No. 562,954, dated June 30,1896.

Application filed September 23, 18

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES FORTH, a citizen of the United States,residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Matrix Assembling andDistributing Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will 1oenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and usethe same.

My invention relates particularly to the? class of machines forassembling and distributing independent matrices (or type) which I 5employ suspended matrices. There are, however, certain parts of theinvention, as will appear from the subsequent description, which maylikewise be used in connection with ma-.

chines employing other kinds of matrices.

In all machines made prior to my invention, which were intendedto'assemble and distribute suspended matrices, it has been foundnecessary to employ as many separate and independent guides as therewere different kinds of matrices. This necessary multiplicity of guidesmade the machines complicated and cumbersome, difficult to properlyadjust in the first assembling of the parts, and expensive to keep inproper working con 0 dition.

One of the prime objects of my invention has been to provide anoperative machine employing only a comparatively small numberofassemblingguides, each of which is 3 5 adapted to receive and conductto the composin g-point a number of different kinds of matrices, andcorresponding mechanism for distributing said matrices to theirrespective magazines, thereby reducing the size and first cost of suchmachines, and rendering them less expensive to keep in operativecondition.

Another important object has been to provide means for removing thematrices from the machine, a result which I believe has neverbefore beenattained with machines employing suspended matrices. One advantage whicharises from this construction is that the entire font of matrices may beremoved from the machine and a new font bearing the same or a differentstyle of type may be substituted in a very short time. The chief ad- 92.Serial No. 446,681. (No model.)

vantage, however, is that the assembled lines of matrices may be removedto be taken to another'machine in which the slug may be cast, with onlya slight interruption in the assembling operation.

These are the three chief objects of the invention which are hereinafterdescribed.

. The several improvements constituting the invention relate to theconstruction, combination, and relative arrangement of the parts whichmake up the assembling and distributing systems, to the means forsupporting the various parts of said systems, to the construction of thematrices, to the clamping mechanism for holding the assembled lines ofmatrices when they are removed from the machine, to the novel spacingmechanism, and to numerous other parts of the machine, all of which willbe hereinafter described, and

definitely pointed out in the claims.

The accompanying drawings show my invention as embodied in the best formof machine now known to me, but many changes in the details andarrangements of parts that would be obvious to and within the skill of agood mechanic might be made therein withas set forth in the claims atthe end of this specification.

Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in vertical central section, on theline 1 1 of Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a view of a sectional plan view on theline 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of portions of mymachine as seen from the front or operators side. Fig. 4 is a viewlooking endwise at the magazine-bars as seen from'the line 4 4 ofFig. 1. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of one of the finger pieces or keysby means of which the detent mechanism operates to release the matrices.Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the same. Fig. 6 is two viewsillustrating the several lengths and permutations of matrices which hangupon the left-hand side of the machine,lookin g from erator. Fig. 7 is asimilar view of the matrices which hang upon the right-hand side of themachine. Fig. Sis a horizontal section on the line 8 8 of Fig. 6,showing the side depressions in each matrix renderednecessary by theprojecting wings of the wedge-blocks the direction in which it is viewedby the opout departing from the spirit of my invention in the spacers.Figs. 9 and 10 are views of the spacers which hang upon the right andleft hand sides, respectively, of the machine. Fig. 11 is an edge viewof one of these spacers. Fig. 12 is a side view, on an enlarged scale,of that portion of a spacer which contains the groove for thewedge-block, one side being partly broken away to better illustrate thegroove in the opposite side. Figs. 13, 14., and are horizontaltransverse sections through a spacer on the line 14 14 of Fig. 9, Fig.13 showing the matrix without the wedge-block, Fig. 14 having thewedge-block in place, and Fig. 15 showing the wedge-block pushed forwardto spread the side plate of the spacer. Fig. 16 is an end elevation ofthe spring clamping device used to hold the assembling matrices in placewhile they are being transferred from one machine to another. It isshown as closed upon the matrix which is illustrated by dotted lines.Fig. 17 is a side elevation of the same, showing it in its position inthe machine and open to receive the matrices, some of which have alreadybeen assembled. Fig. 18 is a view of the clamp similar to Fig. 16,except that the clamp is shown in its place in the machine and held opento receive the matrices, as in Fig. 17. Fig. 19 shows the sliding blockby which the clamp is held open, the wedges which hold the clamp openbeing withdrawn and the clamp with the matrices in its embrace ready forremoval from the block. Fig. 20 is a horizontal section through thesliding block on the line 20 20 of Fig. 19. Fig. 21 is a view inelevation of a number of matrices as they are entered upon the pick-uprods at the receiving side of the machine preparatory to the operationof distribution to their several magazines. Fig. 22 illustrates theposition of a matrix in the act of sliding down the inclined edge of apick-up rod and about to, engage one of the distributing-rails. 23 is avertical transverse section showing a matrix at a point in itsdescending movement where it has left the pick-up rod and is fullyengaged with the distributing-rail which conducts it to the magazines.Fig. 24 is an end View, on a reduced scale, of the guide platform andhood to facilitate the entrance of the matrices on the pick-up rods.Fig. 25 is a vertical section through the same. Fig. 26 is a sideelevation showing a matrix at that point in its descent where it isabout to be engaged by one of the magazine-rods and leave thedistributingrail. Fig. 27 illustrates my plan for allowing the matrixwhile traversing the distributing rails to pass below the receiving endsof all the magazine-rods preceding its own, on arriving at which it iselevated to the distributinggrade and properly engages its magazine-rod,upon which it slides after leaving the distributing-rail. Fig. 28 is aview, on an enlarged scale, showing the upper end of the matrix and theprefe rred form of its distributing hooks or notches and a doubledistributing-rail. Fig. 29 is a side view of one of the magazines,

showing two matrices, one about to leave the distributing-rail and slideupon the magazinerod,the other about to drop from the magazinerod uponthe assembling-rail by which it will be conducted to thecomposing-point. It also shows in perspective the gate ormagazine-detent, the operation of which releases the matrices one by onefrom the magazinerod, as clearly illustrated by Figs. 30, 31, and 32.Fig. 33 shows the means by which each magazine-rod is supported from theoverhead plates and the manner in which the hooks pass through thissupport. Fig. 31 is an inverted plan view on the line 3; 34 of Fig. 1,showing the groove-posts which support the free ends of theassemblingrods and the swinging arms by which these posts are carried.Fig. 35 is a side view of the same, showing the posts as swung back tothe positions they occupy while composition is in progress and theassembling-rails left free for the passage of the matrices to thecomposingpoint. Fig. 36 is a side view of a sliding plate used at thecomposing-point to elevate the matrices when it is desired to bringtheir Italic text up to the composing-line. Fig. 37 is an end view ofthe same. Fig. 38 is a side elevation of a matrix-clamp having withinits embrace 'a set of matrices composed or set up to form a line forordinary newspaper work and ready to be placed in the molding-machinepreparatory to forming or casting a slug which will have upon its faceraised characters corresponding to the characters on the severalmatrices. Fig. 39 is a perspective view of the stationary framework ofthe machine. Fig. 40 is a perspective view of one assembling anddistributing system, including one pick-up rod, one distributing rail orguide, one magazine-rod, and one assembling rail or guide. Fig. 41 is anenlarged end view of theplate U.

I will now proceed to give a detailed description of the machine shownin the drawings, referring to the parts by letters.

A, Fig. 1, represents the bed-plate, the front edge of which inclinesdownward at about the same angle as do the assembling-rails. A

slot A, Fig. 39, extending from the front toward the rear of themachine, is made through the bed-plate. On the inclined ways, adjacentto said slot, a block b, Fig. 1, is mounted, the upper surface beingbelow and parallel to the composing parts of the assembling-rails. Anear I), on the under side of said block, projects through the slot whereit is connected, by means of the link a, to the arm a on the rock-shafta The block is moved forward by the hand-lever a and backward, to astop, by said lever or by the weighted arm a on the rock-shaft.

B represents a post fixed to the block I) perpendicular to its top face.In the rear face of this post are formed a number of sockets b lying inthe same vertical plane, in which the forward ends of theassembling-rails are supported.

At the center of the rear side of the bedplate an upright post a, Fig.39, is secured. A brace a, extends upward and forward from the lowerpart of said post, and a bar a" extends from the u er end of said braceto the upper end of the post, said post, brace, and bar being rigidlyconnected. Secured to the top of the brace a and extending upward atright angles thereto, is a post a Attached to the upper end of this postare the stay-rods a, which extend toward opposite sides of the machine.

On each side of the machine and extending from the front toward the rearare a series of plates (4 The outermost plate of each series isconnected with the outer end of one of the stay-rods. The inner plate ofeach series is connected at the front and rear to the brace a and posta, respectively; and the several plates of each series are connectedtogether from above by the inverted-U-shaped straps a.

The parts explained in the last paragraph constitute a suitable rigidframework for supporting the other stationary parts of the machine to behereinafter described.

Before describing the construction and combination of parts whichcooperate in the assembling and distributing of the matrices, I willdescribe generally the kind of matrices which the machine is adapted toassemble and distribute.

Each matrix E, Sheet 4, consists of a body, in the edge of which thecharacters are formed in the ordinary way, at the points indicated by 6and a stem having at or near its upper end two hooks e e, by means ofwhich the matrices are suspended from the different rods and rails to behereinafter described. These hooks must be of such character that theymay be transferred in substantially the described manner from one railor rod to another, and in the form shown one hook is on one side and oneon the other side of the matrix-stem, and both are open from below. Thehook e I term the assembling-hook, because it is from this hook that thematrix is suspended from the assembling-rail. These hooks e are soplaced with reference to the bodies of the several matrices that whenthe several matrices are suspended at the front of the machine fromtheir different assemblingrails, which are arranged in the same verticalplane, the bodies of said matrices and the characters on the matricesshall be in line. The matrices are suspended by their assembling-hookson the magazine-rods, and also on the pick-up rods, which cooperate intheir distribution. The other hooks 6 above referred to are thedistributing-hooks, which are of such a character and so placed thatwhen the matrices are sliding on the pick-up rods the distributing-railsmay automatically engage with said hooks, thereby lifting the matricesfrom the pick-up rods.

A part of the assembling and distributing systems lie on one side and apart on the other side of the vertical plane in which the line of thematrices is assembled. Therefore it is necessary to make the matricesright and left handed. The matrices shown in Fig. 6 cooperate with theassembling and distributing systems on the left side of the machine, andthose shown in Fig. 7 on the right side of the machine. \Vith thispartial description of the matrices shown the subsequent description ofthe construction, arrangement, and mode of operation of theassemblingand distributing systems will be readily understood.

In the machine shown, eight assembling and distributing systems areemployed. The number which shall be employed depends upon the number ofdifferent characters which are to be used and the number of magazinerodswhich cooperate with and form a part of each system. The forward ends ofthe assembling-rails 0, Figs. 1 and 2, are supported in the sockets inthe post B, as before explained, and for a distance slightly greaterthan an assembled line of matrices, the assemblingrails lie in the samevertical plane, one above the other, whereby the matrices hanging fromthis portion of said rails are in line, as described. Since eightassembling-rails are employed, the matrices are necessarily of eightdifferent lengths, one length for each rail. The rear ends of the eightpick-up rods D, Fig. 1, which form the beginning of the distributingsystems, also lie in the same vertical plane, one above the other,separated the same distance vertically as the front ends of theassembling-rails, whereby when an assembled line of matrices is pushedonto the pick-up rods each pick-up rod selects, by engaging with theassemblin g-hooks, the matrices in said line which cooperate with thesystem of which it is a part. Except for the described grouping at thefront and rear of the machine, and incidentally in the manner ofsupporting said systems, they are wholly independent of each other.Therefore a description of one system will answer for all. One completesystem consists of a pick-up rod D, a distributing rail or guide F, anassembling rail or guide C, a number of magazine-rods Gr intermediate ofthe distributing rail or guide and assembling rail or guide which areadapted to receive the matrices from the former and to discharge themonto the latter rail, and suitable detent mechanism for releasing thematrices from the magazinerods one at a time when desired and forpreventing their release until such time.

The pick-up rod D, as shown, consists of three parts, viz: first, theselecting portion cl, Fig. 1, which is horizontal, slightly longer thanan assembled line, and lies in the same vertical plane with theselecting portions of the other pick-up rods; second, a separatingportion d, Figs. 2 and 40, which diverges to the right or left, as thecase may be, from this plane, whereby the matrices which engage with itare separated sidewise from the assembled line, and, third, thesupporting portion d3, which extends over the parts of the other systemwhich lie between it and the center and is connected with the verticalpost. The pick-up rods are preferably made of stiff flat bars, the upperedge of which is rounded and made perfectly smooth. The supportingportions (1 extend over the intermediate systems so that they do notinterfere with the depending matrices on said systems. The separatingportions d incline downward and, as shown, sufficiently to cause thematrices to slide down upon them by gravity.

I may say here that all of the parts of the several systems as shown inthe drawings are inclined downward, so that the matrices fall bygravityalone from the horizontal parts of the pickaip rods to theassembling-point. This is indeed an essential feature of the machine inthe form shown, although it is not a fundamentally-essential feature ofthe broad invention. It is a convenient and I believe the bestembodiment of the invention because thereby no separate mechanism formoving the matrices is required.

The rear end of the distributing-rail lies in a vertical plane parallelto the vertical plane in which the separating portions of the pick-u prods lie, and at such a distance therefrom that when amatrix is hangingby its assembling-hook on the pick-up rod its distributing-hook is abovethe distributing-rail. The inclination of the distributing-rail is notso great as that of the adjacent pick-up rod, wherefore as the matrixslides down the pickup rod its distributing-hook engages with thedistributing-rail and the weight of the matrix is transferred thereto,and the matrix continues its journey hanging from its distributing-hookon the distributing-rail until it engages wit-h and is transferred toits proper magazine-rod. The distributing-rail is supported by beingsecured to the inner side of one of the plates a On the top of the platea Sheet 7, and extending inward is a plate (L12. This plate a may be anintegral part of plate a or a separate piece rigidly secured thereto.Several brackets g, which carry the magazine-rods G, are connected toand extend downward from the inner edge of the plate at. These bracketshave two substantially vertical arms, which are connected at their lowerends, making the bracket substantially U-shaped, the inner arm of eachbeing connected with the plate 01 and the magazine-rods are secured neartheir middle on the top of the shorter outer arm of said bracket. (SeeFigs. 26 and 29.)

The rear end of each assembling-rail O is secured to the outer side ofthe plate a next nearest to the center. (See Fig. 2.) The rear ends ofthe assembling-rails nearest the center on both sides of the machine areconnected with the post a. It extends for a considerable distancesubstantially parallel to the distributing-rail but in a lower plane.Each magazine-rod G extends obliquely from a point a little to theinside of the distribumachine, is lifted from the said rail and slidesdown the magazine-rod and takes its place behind the other matricesthereon which are held by the detent. The front or delivery ends of theseveral magazine-rods lie directly over the assembling-rail, whereforewhen a matrix is allowed to escape from the detent it drops off themagazine-rod onto the assembling-rail, down which it slides to thecomposing-point. The delivery ends of the magazine-rods are so far abovethe assemblingrail that they do not interfere with the matrices slidingon the rail which have been dropped thereon from the magazine-rodsbehind them.

The receiving ends of the magazine-rods are located at differentpositions relative to the distributing-rails, the rearmost rod being thehighest; and these receiving'ends of the magazine-rods are so placedthat each will engage with the assembling-hook of its own matrix whenthe same is sliding down said 7 rail on its distributing-hook.

In order that the dilferent matrices may be adapted to engage with thedifferent magazine-rods, which, as above explained, occupy a differentposition relative to the distributing-rail, it is necessary to providemeans for holding the assembling-hooks at corresponding positions withrespect to the distributingrails when the matrices hang therefrom bytheir distributing-hooks. This result may be secured entirely by placingthe distributinghooks at different positions on the stem of the matrixin relation to the assemblinghooks, as shown for example in eithermatrix illustrated by Figs. 6 and 7. hen ten magazine-rods are used inconnection with each system, the distributing-hooks will be placed onthe matrices which cooperate with said system at ten different positionsrelative to the assembling-hooks. In Fig. 7 only the two extremepositions of said distributinghooks are shown. \Vhen a matrix havingitsdistributing-hook placed as indicated by the lowest hook c is riding onthe distributingrail, the assembling-hook e is held the highest abovesaid rail and engages with the magazine-rod which is held at thegreatest elevation, which, as before stated, is the rearmostmagazine-rod. XVhen a matrix havingits distributing-hook in the positionindicated by the upper dotted lines showing a distributinghook ishanging by said hook on the distributing-rail, its assembling-hook isthe least elevated and is adapted to engage with the lowest and foremostmagazine-rod, and to pass under the rods behind it. Thedistributing-hooks are so placed at different intermediate positions(indicated in Figs. 6 and 7) on the other matrices of the system thateach engages with and is picked off by its own magazine-rod, which isheld at the proper position relative to the distributing-rail.

It is clear that if I relied wholly, as well I might, on the differentelevations of one set of distributing-hooks as the means for causing theengagement of the several matrices with their proper magazine-rod, thelowest distributing.- hook on the several matrices would have to beplaced a distance below the highest distributing-hook on said matricesequal to ten times (when ten magazine-rods are employed) the thicknessof the upper part c of the assembling-hook. This is true because eachmatrix must be able to pass freely under the magazine-rod next above itsown, and therefore the difference in elevation of the distributing-hookson matrices which hang on two adjacent rods must be slightly greaterthan the thickness of the part of the assembling-hook above named. Toavoid the necessity of having so great a variation in the position ofthe several distributing-hooks, I have devised a double-trackdistributing-rail, the two parts or tracksF F of which alternately riseand fall below what I may term the grade-line.

By grade-line I mean a line tangential with the highest points of thedistributinga'ails. It is when the matrices are supported by the highestparts of the distributing-rail, or at the grade-line, that they areselected and picked off by their proper magazine-rods.

I provide the alternate matrices with distributing hooks in twodifferent vertical planes, as shown in Figs. 6, '7, 26, 27, 28, and 29.By reference to Fig. 7, for example, it

will be seen that each matrix is provided with.

two hooks at the point where the distributinghooks are placed. 011 thematrix shown in the right of said Fig. 7 the right-hand hook e is thedistributing-hook, the other hook 2 being merely a hook which lies overthe track F and serves to steady the matrix when it is suspended fromits hook e on the right track F of the distributing-rail, and when saidtrack F is depressed below the grade-line, as shown at the left-hand endof Fig. 27, the matrix resting on that part of the track which is sodepressed slides under the end of the magazine-rods next behind its own;but when said matrix arrives at a position adjacent to its ownmagazine-rod the track F rises to the grade, the matrix iscorrespondingly lifted, and its assembling-hook slips over the receivingend of said magazine-rod. (See right hand end of Fig. 27.) In the matrixshown at the left of Fig. 7 the left hook c, is the distributing-hookwhich rides upon the left track F The part of said track which is adwithsaid magazine-rod.

the foregoing description and the drawings it will appear that theportions of the track F adjacent to alternate magazine-rods is at thegrade-line, and that the intermediate portions are depressed below saidgrade-line, and that track F is at the grade-line when track F isdepressed, and vice versa.

By reason of the construction last referred to each matrix is lifted tothe grade-line at the point adjacent to its own magazine-rod, becausethe track on which said matrix slides (say, for example, track F) iselevated to the grade-line. The part of said track F adjacent to themagazine-rod next behind the magazine-rod last referred to is depressed,whereby the said matrix is lowered and passes under said rearmagazine-rod; but at this point where track F is depressed the track Fis elevated to grade-line, and that matrix whichis intended to be pickedoff by the magazine-rod adjacent thereto rides on track F whereby it israised to the position where its assembling-hook engages with itsmagazinerod. The matrices intended to hang on every other magazine-rodride on track F, while the matrices intended to hang on the intermediatemagazine-rods ride on track F Each matrix as it slides toward the frontof the machine undulates just'as that rail (F or F does on which itslides.

Detent mechanism operated by a fingerkey is provided to act incooperation with each magazine-rod. Each detent mechanism shown (seeFigs. 26, 29, 80, 31, and 32) includes a plate H, which is secured onthe.top of plate (L12. The plate has two ears h h, which serve asbearings for a rock-shaft K. On the forward end of the rock-shaft is anarm 70, which is adapted to project in front of the string of matriceshanging on the magazinerod. A coil-spring 72 surrounding the rockshaft,turns it so that the said arm normally lies in the position describedand shown in Figs. 30 and 32. Behind the arm k and lying at an anglethereto is a second arm is, which is so placed that, when the rock-shaftis turned to move the arm is from in front of the matrices, the arm Itmoves in front of the second matrix, as shown in Fig. 31, and it movesto this position before the arm k has been wholly moved from in front ofthe first one. (See Fig. 32.) Therefore when the rockshaft is rocked torelease one matrix the arm k prevents all but the first from falling olfthe magazine-rod. Vhen the rock-shaft is moved in the opposite directionby its spring, the arm I; again engages in front of the foremost matrixand holds that matrix and consequently all the others as before. In theouter edge of the arm grooves are formed like the threads of a screw,and the upper ends of the matrices, which are beveled as shown, entersaid grooves when the rock-shaft is rocked. This constructiondistributes the strain on the arm, and at the same time permits thestring of matrices to move gradually down to the position they willoccupy when they are held by the arm k. The rock-shaft is also providedwith another arm k to the end of which a rod is secured. This rodextends toward the front of the machine, where it is screwed into aflattened bar '12., Figs. 5 and 5, which passes through a slot in aninclined keyboard M; and a key N is secured to the end of the bar 07. onthe opposite or front side of the keyboard. This key is so large that itcannot pass through this slot in the keyboard, but it does rest againstit. Therefore when a key is pushed down it slides in contact with theinclined face of the board, thereby pulling upon the rod or and causingthe rockshaft K to rock far enough to release a matrix, as aboveexplained.

The keyboard M is an inclined plate having through it as many slots m asthere are keys. It is smooth on its top surface, which surface acts asan inclined plane against which the under side of the key bears. \Vhenany key is depressed, it slides against said surface whereby it is drawnforward at the same time.

The keyboard M is supported by two side pieces on m, which are securedto the plate m, which is secured to the top of two posts m m which arethemselves secured to the inclined front of the bed-plate.

Mounted in rearwardly-projecting ears m m on the plate m, Fig. 8, aretwo spindles r 7', Figs. 34: and 35, having each a crank-arm 0 To theouter ends of these crank-arms and extending downward therefrom are twogrooved bars P P, which lie on opposite sides of the groupedassembling-rails. Extending through the plate on are two rods 7' therear ends of which strike against lugs r on the arms 0'', therebycausing said arms to turn on their pivots and to assume the relativeposition shown in Fig. 35-that is to say, to separate the bars. The rearends of said rods r are connected by a yoke 0", which is struck by aset-screw b in a bracket b securedto the post B, Fig. 1,

-when the latter is moved toward the rear,

thereby moving said rods with the above-described result. When the postis moved forward away from said yoke, to release the forward ends of theassembling-rails, the springs 0 Fig. 35, which surround and engage withthe spindles 0', cause said spindles to turn and thereby move thegrooved bars P P toward each other. The assembling-rails are therebygrasped between said bars (in the grooves thereof) thus holding saidrails in their proper relative position until they again enter thesockets in the post B. The parts last described are relatively so placedthat the assemblingrails are grasped by the grooved bars P P before theyare completely released from the post B, and are held by said bars P Puntil the post 13 again engages with the assembling-rails. Moreover, thepoint at which the assemblingrails are grasped is behind the composingparts thereof on which the line of matrices is assembled.

The machine shown is one' in which provision is made for the removal ofa line of matrices which has been assembled at the front end of themachine, although this is not an essential attribute of all machinescontaining the improvements heretofore described. In order that the lineof matrices may be removed in a practical manner in such condition as tobe immediately available to make a linotype from, it is desirable toprovide a clamping device for holding the matrices in line adapted toengage with said line while the matrices are still suspended from theassembling-rails. The clamping device shown in the drawings consists oftwo crossed bars S S, Sheet 5, which are pivoted together at the middle,and four parallel rods 3 s s 8 which are rigidly secured to the ends ofsaid bars at right angles thereto. Attached to the side of each bar S isa fiat spring 8 which engages with the other bar and exerts its force toclose the clamp. (See Figs. 16 and 18.) Three of the rods are flat onthe faces with which they engage the matrices, and the fourth rod 8 isround and is adapted to lie in a half-round alinementnotch e in the edgeof each matrix. The form of the notch and of the bar .9 is not materialexcept to the extent that they must correspond. The face of the postB isprovided with a recess 6 in which the bars S S are adapted to lie andinto which they may slide from one side. (See Fig. 18.) hen in thisrecess and when the post B is supporting the front ends of theassembling-rods, the clamp is held open by two wedges T T, Fig. 9, whichare thrust between the bars S S, as shown in Fig. 18. This holds therods 8 5 far enough apart to permit the matrices to enter between them.The mechanism for actuating these wedges to open the clamp and towithdraw them, so as to allow the clamp to close is the following, viz:The rear ends of the wedges are connected by a plate 2, Fig. 19, and tothe front side of this plate a rod 25 is secured. The wedges slide insockets in the post, as does the rod 25 also. A spring t surrounding therod, exerts its force to move it forward, thus withdrawing the wedges. Arock-shaft t is mounted in the post B, and to it is secured an arm t, inthe upper end of which is a short slot. A pin i projecting from the rod25, lies in this slot. On one end of the rock-shaft an arm i Fig. 17, issecured, having an inclined slot in which the axle of a wheel 15 ismounted. This wheel is adapted to engage with the inclined face of thebed-plate, whereby when the post B is being moved forward the wheelrevolves and its axle rides up in the slot, thereby tending to draw thearm down, thus rocking the rock-shaft and withdrawing the wedges, thespring i before mentioned cooperating to produce this result. lVhen thepost B is rethe line.

V V, Figs. 1 and 2, represent two guides which at the front of themachine are substantially parallel and lie on opposite sides of thematrices which are assembled at the point of composition. They aresupported by being connected with the posts. They spread apart back ofthe composition-point and lie in such position, substantially as shownin Fig. 2, that they will engage with the body of a matrix sliding downany assembling-rail and guide said body to the composition-point andbetween the rods 3 s of the clamp. These guides are especially usefulfor preventing the matrices on the outer assemblin grails from acquiringa swinging movement due to the changes in the direction of said rails.Another feature of construction which is useful in guiding the matricesbetween the clamping-rods s s is the V-shaped lower ends of the matricesand the V-shaped groove V in the upper surface of the block Z) and ofthe plate U. The V-shaped lower ends of the matrices are also useful ingetting the line of matrices into perfect alinement in thecasting-machine.

The spacers L for separating the words and justifying the line, whichare shown in Figs. 9, 10, and 11, have the same general form as thematrices. They are provided with similar assembling and distributinghooks and are adapted to be suspended upon similar magazine-rods and arereleased by the same sort of detent mechanism. The bodies of the spacersare however made of two plates of spring metal,- which are securedtogether at top and bottom by rivets or otherwise, as shown. At a pointcorresponding to the position of the characters on the matrices atransverse groove is made in each of the meetiug faces of said plates.Between said plates and lying in said grooves is an arrow-headedwedge-block Z, the rear sides of the arrowshaped head extending outthrough holes in the side of the plates, which form stops to limit thebackward movement of the wedgeblock. These sides do not extend muchbeyond the outer sides of the plates, but they extend far enough to makeit desirable to form depressions e in the side of the matrices, so thatwhichsoever matrix may be brought next to a spacer will lie flatlyagainst it. Near the rear end of the wedge-block a second wedge Z isformed, and behind it is a stem P, by means of which the wedge-block maybe operated. Normally this second inclined part of the wedge-block andthe stem lie wholly outside the plates, as shown in Fig. 14. When anumber of these spacers are in a line, their stems all project in thesame plane, and it is intended to operate them all simultaneously tojustify the line and proportionately space it. No means are shown forproducing this simultaneous operation of the wedge-blocks, because themachine shown is not intended nor adapted to complete the justificationof That is done in the machine in which the slug is cast. hen thewedge-block is moved forward, the arrow-shaped head thereof spreads thefront edge of the two plates apart at exactly the point where thespacing is required, 2'. 6.; in line with the characters, and theinclined surfaces on the rear part of said block similarly spread therear sides of said spacers. At the same time the height of the wedge isequal to the thickness of the slug to be made, whereby the front ends ofthe wedges serve to prevent the molten metal from running between theplates when a cast is being made. The grooves in which the arrow-shapedheads of wedge-blocks lie are inclined to correspond to the inclina tionof the said wedge-surfaces, and there is in said plates suificientspring to cause the wedge-blocks, when not pressed from behind, toresume their normal position.

By examining Figs. 6, 7, and 38 it will be seen that there are twodepressions 8 6 in the edge of each matrix in which characters areformed. In the lower depressions are formed the Roman characters, and inthe upper depressions are formed similar Italic characters. In the edgeof each matrix are likewise found two alinement-notches e 6 either ofwhich may engage with the clamping-bar s of the clamping device.

If I desire to have a word in a line or an entire line appear inItalics, I have only to raise the matrices composing the word or line sothat the lower notch will engage with the clamping-rod.

In order to automatically raise the matrices to bring the lowercharacter into the impression-line, I provide the following mechanism Aplate U, having on its under side beveled projections u u, rests uponthe upper surface of the block b in which surface are formed the beveleddepressions b which are adapted to receive said projections to u.Projecting downward from the under side of the plate U are the pins a,which pass through a longitudinal slot in the block b and through aclamping-plate u which lies against the under side of said block 1)Coil-springs a surround the pins u and lie between the clamping-plate nand pins n which project from the side of the lower ends of vthe pinsThese springs tend to draw the plate U and the clamping-plate 1&2 towardeach other, and these two plates and the springs form a slidingspring-clamp which embraces the block b on the block b. On one side ofthe plate U is a handle 11. by which said plate may be moved forward andbackward. When the plate U is at its rearmost position, the beveledprojections to lie in the corresponding beveled depressions in the blockb and the top surface of the plate U is then raised only slightly abovethe surface of the block b and is so far to the rear end of said blockthat the lower ends of the matrices do not touch it as they descend tothe assemblingpoint. \Vhen it is desired to elevate the matrices for thepurpose specified, the plate U is moved forward until its forward endstrikes the post B or the rearmost matrix of the assembled matrix-line.In moving forward the beveled projections a slide up the beveled sidesof the depressions b in the surface of block b the plate U being therebyelevated to the position shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 36. \Vhen thematrices are now released and slide down the assembling-guides, theirlower ends strike the plate U, by which they are automatically raised sothat their lower characters are brought in to the impressionline.

The clamping-rods s s" s are not close enough to clamp the matrices, butthey are close enough to cause the rod 8 to enter just far enough intothe notches c to prevent the matrices from fallin g when the plate U isreturned to its normal position.

It will be noticed that in addition to the two character depressions inone edge of the matrices another depression 6 is shown in the oppositeedge. In this depression is formed the same character but in anotherstyle of type, and this edge of the matrix may be employed to make thelinotype from when desired. lVhen, however, this edge is to be used, itis necessary to use a spacer with the wedge-block Z projecting from theopposite edge. Such a spacer is shown in Fig. 10.

At the rear end of the machine is a platform W, Fig. 1, which isdirectlybeneath the ends of the pick-up rods, just as far away therefromas the block b is from the assemblingraiis. This platform is supportedon an arm a, which is fastened to a post a. Secured to this platform aretwo side pieces 11; in, con neeted by a top or hood in, Fig. 24, andthese pieces serve to properly guide the line of matrices which areintroduced from the rear, so that each will be engaged by the pick-uprod forming a part of the system to which it belongs. hen the line isintroduced, it is in the embrace of the clamp, which is however removedby hand when the matrices are in position to begin to distribute.

In the operation of the above-described machine, after the matricesforming a line of composition have by the operation of the key mechanismbeen assembled in the front of the machine, the operator moves thehandlever a forward. This moves the block b and the post B carriedthereby, releasing the forward ends of the assembling-rails from theirengagement with said post. Before being entirely released the groovedbars P P grasp the said rails and sustain them so that upon the returnof the post B the ends of the railswill enter the sockets therein.Theline of matrices follow the post in its forward movement, slippingoff the ends of the assembling-rails. The clamping device has in themeantime tightly grasped the matrices, and the entire line and clamp areremoved and taken to another suitable machine for forming the slug.

' When the slug has been formed, the matrices are placed in the rear ofthe machine,

their lower ends resting on the platform IV. lVhen moved forward eachpick-up rod engages the assembling-hook of the matrices which belong toits system, the clamp is removed, and the matrices slide down to and arepicked off by their own magazine-rods.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. I11 a matrixassembling and distributing machine, a matrix consisting of a body part,a stem, and two hooks projecting from opposite sides of the said stem,substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. In a matrix assembling and distributing machine, a matrix consistingof a body part, a stem and assembling-hook and a doubledistributing-hook secured to said stem, substantially as and for thepurpose specified.

3. In a matrix assembling and distributing machine, a series of matriceseach having a body part in which the character is formed, a stem, anassembling-hook, and a distribut ing-hook, the distributing-hooks on thedifferent matrices being placed at different positions relative to saidassembling-hooks, substantially as described.

4. In a matrix assembling and distributing machine, a plurality ofseries of matrices, every matrix having two hooks, the one of which isplaced on all the matrices in any series at the same distance from thecharacter depression, which distance is diiferent in the differentseries, the other hooks on the different matrices in each series beingplaced at different positions with relation to the first hooks named,substantially as specified.

5. In a matrix-assembling machine, an assembling-guide, a series ofmagazine-rods, matrices adapted to hang therefrom, and means fortransferring the matrices singly from any magazine-rod to said guide,substantially as specified.

6. In a matrix-assembling machine, an asse1nblingguide a magazine-rodsupported with its delivery end above the assemblingguide, and a seriesof matrices each having a hook by means of which it hangs from themagazine-rod and which is adapted to catch on the assemblingguide whendischarged from the magazine-rod, substantially as specified.

7. In a matrix-assembling machine, an assembling-guide, a series ofdownwardly-inclined magazine-rods, all arranged with their delivery endsdirectly over the assemblinggnide, matrices having hooks by which theyare suspended on said magazine-rods, and detent mechanism adapted torelease said matrices singly, whereby when released the matrices fall bygravity onto the assemblingguide, substantially as specified.

8. In a matrix-assembling maehine,a downwardly-inclined assembling-rail,a series of downwardly-inclined magazine-rods, all arranged with theirdelivery ends above said rail, matrices having hooks by which they aresuspended on said magazine-rods and detent mechanism adapted to retainsaid matrices thereon and to release them singly, whereby the action ofgravity causes the matrices when released to drop onto theassembling-rail and slide to the composing-point, substantially asspecified.

9. In a matrix assembling and distributing machine, a distributing-rail,and an assembling-rail, arranged to one side and a little below thedistributing-rail, combined with a series of magazine-rods, the deliveryends of which are all above the assembling-rail, the receiving endsbeing adjacent to and at different elevations with relation to thedistributing-rail, substantially as specified.

10. In a matrix assembling and distributing machine, adistributing-rail, an assemblingrail, a magazine-rod having its deliveryend above the assembling-rail and its receiving end adjacent to thedistributing-rail, and means for supporting the magazine-rod from itsunder side, substantially as specified.

11. In a matrix assembling and distributing machine, adistributing-rail, an assemblingrail, a substantially U-shaped bracket,a superior support to which one arm of said bracket is secured and fromwhich it depends, and a magazine-rod secured to the top of the other armof said bracket, having its receiving end adjacent to thedistributing-rail, and its delivery end over the assembling-rail,substantially as specified.

12. In a matrix-distributing machine, in combination, a pick-up rod, adistributingrail, a magazine-rod, and an assembling-rail, all arrangedwith respect to each other substantially as described whereby a matrixhaving two hooks is adapted to engage with each of said parts and betransferred successively from one to the other in the order named inmoving from the rear to the front of the machine, substantially as andfor the purpose specified. 3

13. In a matrix-distributing machine, in.

combination, a series of distributing-rails, a series of associatedpick-up rodshaving first selecting portions which lie in the samevertical plane, second separating portions which diverge and lie indifierent vertical planes, and third supporting portions which extendtoward the central line of the machine, each extending over the rods andrails which lie nearer said center, and a fixed support to which saidsupporting portions are secured, substantially as specified.

14:. In a matrix assembling and distributing machine, the combination ofassemblingguides which lie in one plane at their delivery ends anddiverge therefrom into difierent planes, distributing-guides which liein one plane at their receiving ends and diverge therefrom intodifferent planes, and magazines intermediate of said distributing andassembling guides, substantially as set forth.

15. In a matrix assembling and distributing machine, in combination, aseries of distributing-guides whichlie in one vertical plane at the rearof the machine and diverge therefrom into different vertical planes, aseries of assembling-guides which lie in one vertical plane at the frontof the machine and diverge therefrom into difierent vertical planes, andmechanism intermediate of each assembling-guide and its correspondingdistributing-guide, whereby the matrices are transferred from the latterto the former, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

16. In an assembling and distributing machine, in combination, a seriesof assemblingrails grouped in one vertical plane at the front of themachine, and diverging therefrom into different vertical planes, anequal number of associated distributing-rails lying in difierentvertical planes, a series of magazine-rods intermediate of eachassemblingrail and its associated distributing-rail, a series of pick-uprods each of which lies for some distance adjacent to its associateddistributing-rail, all of which pick-up rods converge at the back of themachine and lie in one vertical plane, substantially as and for thepurpose specified.

17. In a matrix-assembling machine, in combination, a series of matricesand their magazines, detent mechanism adapted to retain said matricesand to release them singly, an inclined slotted keyboard, a key whichengages with the outer inclined face thereof, and a rod passing throughsaid slot and connected at one end with said key and at the other endwith the detent mechanism, substantially as and for the purposespecified.

18. In a matrix-assembling machine, in combination, matrix-releasingmechanism consisting of an inclined slotted keyboard, detent mechanism,a series of rods which are connected with the detent mechanism and passthrough said slots, enlargements on said rods which engage with theinclined face of said keyboard, and keys secured to said rods,substantially as and for the purpose specified.

10. In a matrix assembling and distributing machine, in combination, aseries of assembling rails, means for supporting the rear ends of saidrails, and movable mechanism for supporting and releasing the front endsof all of said rails, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

20. In a matrix-assembling machine, a series of assembling-rails whichconverge at the front end of the machine and'lie in one vertical plane,a block slidable on inclined ways on the bed of the machine, a postfixed to said block and having sockets adapted to receive and supportthe front end of said assemblingrails, a lever and suitable mechanismconnecting said block and lever whereby the block may be moved,substantially as and for the purpose specified.

21. In a matrix assembling and distributing machine, in combination, aseries of assembling-rails which lie in the same vertical plane at thecomposing-point, a movable ppst adapted to engage with and support thefront ends of said rails, means for moving said post to release saidrails, and mechanism adapted to engage with and support said rails whenreleased by said post and to release said rails when they are engaged bysaid post, substantially as set forth.

22. In a matrix assembling and distributing machine, in combination, aseries of assembling-rails, which converge and lie in one vertical planeat the composing-point, a movable post having sockets adapted to receiveand support the front ends of said rails, two arms pivoted to a fixedsupport, a grooved bar attached to each arm, and mechanism for swingingsaid arms on their pivots, substantially as and for the purposespecified.

23. In a matrix-assembling machine, in combination, a set ofassembling-rails which converge and lie in one vertical plane at thefront of the machine, a movable post B havin g sockets which are adaptedto receive and support the front end of said' assemblingrails, two armspivoted to a fixed support, grooved bars secured to said arms and lyingon opposite sides of said rails, springs for moving said arms to causethe approach of said bars, and sliding rods engaging with said arms andadapted to be struck and moved by the post B thereby swinging the armsin the opposite direction, substantially as and for the purposespecified.

2a. In a matrix assembling and distributing machine, in combination, afixed support, a series of plates a, an assembling. and a distributingrail secured to each of said plates, arms a extending over said platesand connecting them together, mechanism connecting the inner plate ofthe series with the fixed support, and the overhead stay-rod connectingthe outer plate to the fixed support, substantially as set forth.

25. In a matrix assembling and distributing machine,in combination, aseries of plates a plates ca secured to the upper edge of said platesC010, arms a which lie above and connect together the several plates a aseries of U-shaped brackets depending by one arm from said plates ca aseries of independent magazine-rods, each secured on the top of the freearm of said U-shaped brackets, a distributing -rail and anassembling-rail connected to opposite sides of each of said plates a andmechanism for supporting the said series of plates in the describedrelation to each other.

26. In a matrix-assembling machine, the combination of a series ofassembling-rails permanently supported at their rear ends, mechanism forholding and releasing their front ends, a removable clamping device, andmeans for holding said clamping device beneath the composing parts ofsaid rails, substantiallyas and for the purpose specified.

' 27. In a matrix-assemblingmachinejn combination, independent matrices,a series of assembling-rails adapted to guide the matrices to thecomposing-point, a movable post adapted to support and release the frontend of said rails, and having a socket adapted to IQOQlWE a clamp, and aclamp lying in said socket and adapted to grasp and hold in line theassembled matrices, substantially as and for the purpose specified. 4

28. In a matrix-assembling machine,i'n combination, independentmatrices, a set of assembling-rails adapted to guide the matrices to thecomposing-point, and means for holding and releasing their frontends,with a springclamp consisting of the pivoted bars S S, and the rods8 s which are adapted to engage with said matrices, and mechanism forholding said clamp open during the time the front ends of said rails arebeing held, substantially as set forth.

29. In a matrix-assembling ma-chine,in combination, independentmatrices, a set of assembling-rails, a movable post having socketsadapted to receive and support the front ends of said rails, and havingalso a recess adapted to receive a clamp, with a clamp consisting'of thepivoted bars S S, springs for closing them, and the rods 8 5 the slidingwedges adapted to engage with and spread the bars, and a spring forwithdrawing said wedges, a rockshaft, an arm secured thereto andengaging with a rod which is connected with said wedges, a shoulder onthe frame, and an arm secured to the rock-shaft engagingtherewith,substantially as and for the purpose specified.

30. A spacer fora matrix-line, consisting of two plates connected at topand bottom, and a transversely movable wedge-block lying between saidplates and adapted to spread them apart, said wedge-block being as highas the thickness of the slug to be formed, substantially as set forth.

31. A spacer fora matrix-line, consisting of two plates secured togetherat two points a suitable distance apart, and having transverse groovesin their meeting faces, with a wedge block which lies in said groovesand projects outward from between said plates,'substantially as setforth.

32. A spacer for a matrix-line having a body composed of two similarplates secured together at their ends,'said plates having grooves intheir meeting faces, a stem, and two hooks secured thereto, combinedwith a wedge-block which lies in said grooves and projects from betweensaid plates, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

33. A spacer for a matrix-line, consistingof two plates secured togetherat two points a suitable distance apart, each plate-having on its innerface an inclined transverse groove located at a point corresponding withthe characters assembled in the impression-line,

and a transversely-movable wedge block lying in said groove andprojecting from between said plates, substantially as set forth.

34. Aspacer for amatrix-line, consisting of

